Rotary sensor with high reliability in contact between terminals and electrodes

Abstract

A rotary sensor with a prolonged service life ensures stable electrical conduction between an intermediate terminal and an electrode even if the components making up the rotary sensor repeatedly expand and contract due to high and low temperatures. In the rotary sensor, an output detection member is constructed of an insulating board having an electrode on its surface, a retaining portion being formed on the insulating board. The intermediate terminal is made of a metal material, and has a pair of mounting portions provided on both ends thereof and a first contact portion and a second contact portion provided between the pair of mounting portions. The intermediate terminal is secured to the retaining portion of the insulating board by the pair of mounting portions such that it sandwiches the insulating board lengthwise. The first contact portion is in resilient contact with the internal pin and the second contact portion is in resilient contact with the electrode.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A rotary sensor comprising: 
 a housing;    a lead-out terminal that is made integral with the housing and comprises an internal terminal and an external terminal;    an output detection member accommodated in the housing; and    an intermediate terminal for electrically connecting the lead-out terminal and the output detection member,    wherein the output detection member is formed of an insulating board having an electrode on its surface, a retaining portion being formed on the insulating board,    the intermediate terminal is formed of a single sheet of elastic metal constituent, and has a pair of mounting portions provided on both ends thereof and a first contact portion and a second contact portion provided between the pair of mounting portions,    the intermediate terminal is secured to the retaining portion by the pair of mounting portions such that it sandwiches the insulating board in the direction of its surfaces,    the output detection member with the intermediate terminal secured thereto is accommodated in the housing, and    the first contact portion is in resilient contact with the internal terminal and the second contact portion is in resilient contact with the electrode.    
     
     
         2 . The rotary sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate terminal has an arcuate first contact portion provided at the center thereof and a pair of second contact portions provided on both sides of the first contact portion.  
     
     
         3 . The rotary sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining portion of the insulating board is a through hole, and the mounting portion of the intermediate terminal is locked in the through hole.  
     
     
         4 . The rotary sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein a free end of the mounting portion of the intermediate terminal does not protrude outward beyond the surface opposing the surface on which the electrode of the insulating board has been provided.  
     
     
         5 . The rotary sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the output detection member detects a rotational angle.  
     
     
         6 . A rotary sensor comprising: 
 a housing;    a lead-out terminal that is made integral with the housing and comprises an internal terminal and an external terminal;    an output detection member accommodated in the housing; and    an intermediate terminal for electrically connecting the lead-out terminal and the output detection member,    wherein the output detection member is formed of an insulating board having an electrode on its surface,    the intermediate terminal is formed of a single sheet of elastic metal constituent, and has a first contact portion, a second contact portion, and a projection that is provided on the second contact portion and bites into the electrode,    the output detection member with the intermediate terminal secured to the electrode by the projection of the intermediate terminal is accommodated in the housing, and    the first contact portion is in resilient contact with the internal terminal, while the second contact portion is in resilient contact with the electrode.    
     
     
         7 . The rotary sensor according to  claim 6 , wherein the intermediate terminal has an arcuate first contact portion provided at the center thereof and a pair of second contact portions provided on both sides of the first contact portion, and at least one of the second contact portions is provided with a projection biting into the electrode.